Mike Grant: Decade-long success has made Utah football a pro pipeline

Newly signed Cleveland Browns linebacker and former Utah Ute Paul Kruger speaks during an NFL news conference announcing his five-year, $40 million contract March 13 in Berea, Ohio. The Utes have sent 27 players into the NFL via the NFL draft since 2003.

Associated Press

Summary

The last 10 years have been remarkable for the University of Utah football program. Urban Meyer and Alex Smith took college football by storm, busting the BCS and winning the 2004 Fiesta Bowl. The busting continued with Kyle Whittingham and the Utes

For Mike Grant and Robert Jackson's analysis of this year's draft, begin watching at the 3:05 mark

“In the 80’s and 90’s we were considered a small school. I think now people are recognizing that there’s a lot of talent coming. I think it’s great. I think it’s exciting and I think it’s awesome that we are being recognized as a place that can produce solid, consistent athletes.”

Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers wide receiver

The last 10 years have been remarkable for the University of Utah football program. Urban Meyer and Alex Smith took college football by storm, busting the BCS and winning the 2004 Fiesta Bowl. The busting continued with Kyle Whittingham and the Utes rolling over the Crimson Tide in the 2009 Sugar Bowl. The all-important jump into the Pac-12 solidified Utah’s status as a major program.

But perhaps one of the most defining aspects of the Utah football over of the last decade has been its success in sending players into the NFL.

Compared to their Pac-12 foes, Utah keeps pace, which is astounding considering the Utes have only been in the conference for two years. No surprise, USC is in a class all by itself with 74 players drafted since 2003. The second tier of the Pac-12 pipeline consists of Cal (44), Phil “Nike” Knight and the Oregon Ducks (38), and Stanford (34).

The third tier of the Pac-12 consists of a number of teams with roughly the same number of players drafted since 2003. Oregon State leads that group (28). Utah and UCLA are level with each other (27), followed by Arizona State (26), Colorado (25), and Arizona (22). Utah is well ahead of Washington (16) and Washington State (15).

For those wondering, long-time archrival BYU has had 14 players drafted since 2003.

Many of the Utes drafted have been resoundingly successful at the next level. The San Diego Chargers traded up to pick safety Eric Weddle, who has since taken the league by storm. He has 16 career interceptions, five sacks, and last season signed the largest contract for a safety in NFL history.

Steve Smith, the standout wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, was drafted in 2001 at the tail end of Ron McBride’s tenure. He says he has taken notice of the long-term progression of Utah’s football program.

“ In the 80’s and 90’s we were considered a small school,” Smith said. “I think now people are recognizing that there’s a lot of talent coming. I think it’s great. I think it’s exciting and I think it’s awesome that we are being recognized as a place that can produce solid, consistent athletes.”

The future is bright. As the Utes continue to build to compete for a Pac-12 Championship, Utah’s growing reputation as a professional pipeline will aid recruiting and development of future NFL talent. With players like Jake Murphy, CJ Poutasi, and Eric Rowe currently on Utah’s roster, the trend continues, making the NFL draft more and more exciting for Utah fans every single year.

The simple fact is this: The University of Utah gets players drafted into the NFL.